The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-09-23
WASHINGTON LETTER
tFrom our Regular Correspondent

The numerous military bodies deck
ed in the brightest and gayest Of uni.
forms that daily parade the streets of
the Capital TO the thrilling notes of
martial music, wildly recall the scenes
of last summers drill, and remind one
that these soldier boys are returning
from great and glorious pageant, sec
ond only in magnitude and Importance
TO that other Centennial Of Americas
progress and triumph, celebrated with
so much eclat and enthusiasm eleven
years ago in the same City OF Brother
ly Love, which has just rejoioed in the
commemoration of the Centennial of
the Constitution OF the United States
that wonderful instrument of patri-
otic inspiration, destined to stand for
all time as the masterpiece Of the
worlds wisdom and statecraft, and as
the rock upon which rests the greatest
of Republics.
And here / will write of really re-
markable coincidence in this connect
ion-indeed, almost as much so as the
death of the illustrious Jefferson fifty
years to day after he had signed the
immortal declaration that won his most
famous distinction-and that is the
death in this city of his last grand
daughter, Mrs. Ssptima Randolph
Meikleham, on the very day that the
celebration of the Constitutional Cen
tennial began. This aged lady bore a
striking resemblance to the great sage
and patriot who was the founder of
the Democratic party, and she had dis
tinct personal recollections of her hon
ored ancestors appearance and conver-
sation. She leaves three Children
son and two daughters-the eldest of
the latter, Miss Alice, holding a small
clerkship in the Patent Office, which is
the whole support of the family, the
son being hopeless invalid.
The resignation of Ex-Gov. Porter
as Assistant Secretary of State and the
appointment of his successor continue
to be topics of discussion among the
politicians. There appears to be every
reason to believe that Mr.. Bayard and
Mr.. Porter were at variance on sever
al questions of public policy--that, in
fact, the latter was too much disposed
to assert himself in affairs of State.
Among those mentioned for the sue
cession are Congressman Belmont, of
| N. j., Chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs in the Forty-Ninth
Congress, and ex- Congressman Cox, of
N. c., who was Chairman of the Com
mittee on Civil Service in the same
body. 1t is said that Mr.. Bayard re-
CARDS the latter the most favorably,
on account of his administration of the
North Carolina statesman's progress
i've course on Civil Service reform, and
also his possession of considerable
wealth-an important factor in di-
plomatic position. Mr.. Belmont also
has wealth to back him, and he is not
without experience in matters of di-
plomacy. 1t is understood that the
Secretary claims the right to select his
assistant
To distinguished Southerner, who
few days since called upon the Presi-
dent to urge the appointment of one
of his constituents to the Supreme
Court vacancy, Mr.. Cleveland stated
that he had already made the selection
and did not suppose he would have
reason to change it, and although no
name was called, the visitor, from sub
sequent remarks, was firmly impressed
with the opinion that the Judicial man.
tie would grace the shoulders of Sec
retary Lamar.
The report of the Secretary of the
Interior, in response to the demand of
the select Committee OF the Senate, of
which Mr.. Cockrell is chairman, makes
a volume of 400 pages, printed in
small type, and gives detailed state
ment of the amount and character of
business transacted in the department
and the methods of conducting the
same. 1t also shows that there are
9l54 employees of the Departmental
which number All are Presidential and
the remainder departmental appointees.
A similar report shows that there are
600 employees in the Postoffice Depart
ment; that there are 54,774 postmas-
ters rs first class, 400 second, 1884
third, and 52,214 fourth.
The Illinois Democrats in office here
have formed an association for the
purpose of looking after the official
scalps of all Republicans credited to
that state-a commendable example
to the Democrats of other States.